    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 27 (Monday, July 14, 2008)]
    [Page 975]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks on Intelligence Reform Legislation

    July 9, 2008

        Today the United States Congress passed a vital piece of legislation
    that will make it easier for this administration and future
    administrations to protect the American people. This vital intelligence
    bill will allow our national security professionals to quickly and
    effectively monitor the plans of terrorists outside the United States,
    while respecting the liberties of the American people.
        This legislation is critical to America's safety; it is long
    overdue. Months ago, my administration set out key criteria that this
    intelligence legislation would have to have before I would sign it into
    law. The Attorney General and Director of National Intelligence report
    that the bill Congress passed today meets these criteria, and therefore,
    I will soon sign the bill into law.
        This bill will help our intelligence professionals learn who the
    terrorists are talking to, what they're saying, and what they're
    planning. It will ensure that those companies whose assistance is
    necessary to protect the country will, themselves, be protected from
    lawsuits for past or future cooperation with the Government. It will
    uphold our most solemn obligation as officials of the Federal Government
    to protect the American people.
        I want to thank the members of my administration who worked hard to
    get this legislation passed. I thank the Democratic and Republican
    leadership in the Congress for their efforts, particularly House
    Majority Leader Hoyer, House Republican Whip Blunt, Senators Bond and
    Rockefeller, Congressmen Hoekstra, Reyes, and Smith.
        This legislation shows that even in an election year, we can come
    together and get important pieces of legislation passed.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 4:01 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Attorney General Michael B.
    Mukasey. Due to the 13-hour time difference, these remarks were made
    after those to the White House press pool in Toyako, Japan.